Do you wear push-up bras? - YouLookFab Forum

This is a bit of a post and run since I'm headed out for some quick errands, but I had to get the question out of my head and handed over to your collection wisdom.

I've recently lost 20 lbs, and while I've lost weight all over, it feels like a disproportionate bit of it has come from my chest. While not small busted (I'm somewhere between a 36/38 C right now), my breasts are relatively wide set and shallow on top. I find myself disliking how some clothes fit because I carry my weight in my belly, and my bust doesn't seem to balance that out.

I like to have things "locked and loaded" with no jiggling or exposure; nice and secure. I haven't worn a push-up bra since college and it just seems so... fussy? Like it's too much effort and won't be as comfortable as a properly fitting unpadded bra?

A proper bra-fitting is on the agenda for January, but since I'm continuing to lose weight at a slow and steady pace, I don't want to spend too much $$ or overbuy for a size that will be changing again (hopefully) soon.

So, let me have it. Do you wear push up bras or something padded to balance things on top? Work with what you have? Found a bra that makes things magical for certain types of outfits?

11 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Unpadded ones really do not fit well on me, so I only wear the padded pushy-uppy ones

I just buy a cheap one to wear for a week or two to make sure it works before splurging!

Keix

I have the same problem as Lyn--padded push-up bras fit me the best and make my breasts look "normal," i.e. not as shallow on top. I also have the wide-set/shallow shape, although I'm smaller than you at 32A/B.

You should definitely try on some push-ups at the store, at least. Also try going a size up in the cup, a size down in the band.

Diana

Nope. Unlike Lyn* the padded ones never fit right on me. I am like you, wide-set and shallow on top. Most push up bras have the padding on the bottom, where I don't need it, and padding on the top just looks unnatural. My preference is for a seamed, unpadded bra. The seams give a nice perky shape. I feel that padded bras tend to produce a rounder shape which is not in keeping with the shape of my boobs. I prefer a demi or 3/4 style because I'm so shallow on top.

catgirl

I need push- down bras!

Runcarla

Another shallow-topped and wide set gal here. I like underwire, but not what I would call a 'push up' and I hate padding! The biggest change I made was going from a 36-B to a 32-D. I was in disbelief at the fitting, but for the first time I don't have the chaffing on the boobage where my shoulder meets my chest...everything fits in the larger cup, and the smaller band lifts everything off my rib cage, so now I have a waist!

I've got two spendy Chanterelle bras, and two more modestly priced Victoira's Secret bras, and a wonderful M&S bra I got when I was on vacation in the UK.

I agree with Diana, a demi can be quite nice.

Thistle

I spend a lot on bras. As a 36 well beyond DD I find I need a three part bra for the support and lift.

Wendy45

Active Member

I am a padded/push up bra kind of girl! I think it makes me look better in t- shirts, but also dresses and sweaters. More streamlined, if that makes sense? And I like the fact that they are not " see through".

I never did, until a few months ago. I am also shallow on top and it makes an otherwise fine fitting bra not fit. Not only that, but ones that do fit, don't necessarily flatter. I recently got Wacoal B'Temptd B'wowd push up and it's great. http://www.amazon.com/b-temptd.....B00BECK152

I think the shallow shape is what made Amy Adams able to rock the braless 70s dress looks in American Hustle.

ATLynn

Thanks everyone. Nice to hear what works for everyone and that I'm in good company with my shallow, wide chest. I do have a 3 part bra in a 36D. The cups are just a smidge too large now. It feels great, but looks meh. Like everything, I guess I need to try, try, try.

@Lyn*/KL/Wendy - I will open up the option of some padding. Sounds like it might work for what I need.
@Diana/Runcarla - Will definitely give a demi a try.
@AG - You crack me up.
@Mo - Thanks for the rec. It looks like it would leave me very exposed. Not sure when I became such a prude...

Linda

I'll wear a push-up but for the most part, I prefer simple underwire styles. It can depend on the neckline and the overall look though. BTW I am thrilled right now after discovering some unlined underwire styles (Cosmopolitan is the brand) at JCP a few weeks back. I usually buy Maidenform, and I know what fits right in their lines, but they seem to have few or no unlined bras, and I hadn't been seeing many anywhere. I'm a little put off at some of the "chest armor" kind of bras out there, TBH. I DO wear padded bras with some of my slinker tops or light tees. But the Cosmopolitan bras are wonderful!

I think a good fitting can be amazing. And/or, be sure and follow the measurement instructions FOR EVERY MAKER. I did that last year and was impressed that I was a different size for a couple of the brands.

Caro in Oz

Sounds like it may be worth having a fitting to find out what works for you.
I'm with ag so I'm no help on brands

Louise

Your girls sound similar to mine, I usually wear balcony bras after advise from bra fitter x

Alexandra

No push-up bras here. I am short-waisted so boobage needs to stay where it is. Pushing it up under my chin throws off the proportions.

Alexandra, I'm curious as to that - I'm short waisted and I find the opposite. My chest lands much closer to my high waist than I'd like or that dresses allow for!

Mo, mine are perky and fairly high. In sewing patterns, I have to move the bust darts up an inch. In RTW, bust darts point to the underwire. Your above-waist proportions sound different from mine.

Summer

I like light padding but not push-up, though Mo's Wacoal recommendation I am tempted to try. Doesn't look too push-uppy and I need a racerback style in my underwear drawer.

Echo

For me, it depends on the outfit. I rarely or never actually show cleavage, but there are some outfits that demand a higher, slightly larger-looking bust than what I have naturally. I normally wear full coverage stretch foam cups so that there is no show-through like I sometimes find with unlined bras, but with certain outfits I will wear a push-up bra.

Gigi

Ah...the "dark side" of weight loss...less breast tissue! Been there.

I also have shallow, wide-set breasts. What I have found is that a demi bra works well for me. I could never fill up the regular-size cups even in very small bras, but once I started trying on demis, I had success.

I have been wearing 32A bras this year, but after a discussion on the forum, I decided to try 30B. I ordered them and they are on the way. Technically, I think I may be a 28C, but I couldn't find any nonpadded, non-push-up bras in that size.

You could go to Herroom.com and fill out their fitting survey. It asks all kinds of questions about your breasts--shallow on top, size of areola, etc. And then it gives you recommendations from their inventory.

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